India’s Major Ports Accelerate Decarbonisation with Green Hydrogen and Electrification Initiatives

India’s major ports are advancing a wide range of sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing carbon intensity and supporting the country’s clean energy transition, in line with the government’s broader maritime decarbonisation strategy.

Key measures include the implementation of the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), which focuses on replacing conventional diesel-powered tugs with electric and hybrid alternatives. Under this programme, four major ports—Deendayal Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Visakhapatnam Port, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port—have already placed work orders for electric tugs.

Ports across the country are also adopting renewable energy, electrifying port equipment and vehicles, deploying zero-emission trucks, and installing Onshore Power Supply (OPS) systems under the “Harit Sagar” Green Port Guidelines. These efforts have contributed to a measurable reduction in carbon emissions at major ports.

In a significant push towards green hydrogen adoption, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has designated three ports—Deendayal Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority—as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

At Deendayal Port Authority, a 1 MW electrolyser-based green hydrogen plant has been commissioned, alongside land allocation of 3,400 acres for green hydrogen and ammonia projects. The port has also developed infrastructure, including a jetty capable of handling green ammonia with an annual capacity of 3.5 million tonnes.

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has allocated over 205 acres for similar projects and commissioned a pilot green hydrogen plant in April 2025. The port is also developing a green methanol bunkering facility with a capacity of 2×750 cubic meters.

Meanwhile, Paradip Port Authority is set to develop a green hydrogen and ammonia handling jetty through a public-private partnership model. The project, with an estimated investment of ₹797.17 crore, will have a cargo handling capacity of 4 million tonnes per annum.

Additionally, all major ports are extending ‘shore-to-ship power’ facilities to smaller vessels to reduce emissions during docking. Under the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, incentives worth ₹53.39 crore have been disbursed to 109 ship recycling yards through the Ferrous Scrap Development Fund (FSDF) up to 2026.

These combined initiatives reflect India’s commitment to transforming its port infrastructure into environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient hubs, aligned with global maritime decarbonisation goals.

Related